How to Appoint an Executor to Your Will

An executor is a person or company whom you appoint in your will to
distribute your estate after your death. In most states, you can appoint more than one
executor.

Jasper L. Edwards

An executor is a person or company, whom you appoint in
your will to distribute your estate after your death. In most states, you can appoint more than one
executor.

The main responsibilities of an executor
include:

Collecting all of the assets of your estate

Valuing your estate

Filing for a grant of probate

Ensuring that all your bills, debts, funeral expenses and
inheritance taxes are paid using the money from your estate

Distributing the remainder of your property in accordance with your
will

Maintaining a record of your wishes and distributing any estate
accounts to the beneficiaries

How to Appoint an Executor to Your
Will

The person you appoint to serve as the executor of your
will should be ethical and responsible. He or she must also be willing to do the job. In addition,
they should also be:

Honest and trustworthy

Capable of handling the responsibility

Familiar with financial matters

Have a reasonable chance of out-living you

Anyone who is above the age of 18 years can serve as your
executor. There are also no rules prohibiting you from appointing someone named in your will. In
fact, this is a very common practice in most states. The following are some of the people you
should probably consider to act your executor:

Your spouse

Younger brother or sister

A close relative like a niece or
nephew

Close friend

Professional executors

Depending on your situation, you can decide to appoint
professional executors in your will. Having your estate managed by an expert is always an added
advantage. However, using a professional executor might end up costing you a lot of
money.

Types of professional executors

Solicitors

Accountants

Banks

Public Trustee’s

Your executor will have the responsibility of carrying out
your wishes once you’re gone. Contrary to what most think, this task can be quite complicated even
if you leave clear instructions. As a result, you must think very carefully before you make your
final decision.